EU panel rejects extension of Asian shoe duties

Published: 19 Nov 2009 17:24:13 PST

BRUSSELS, Nov 19 - A key panel of European Union trade officials voted on Thursday to reject a European Commission proposal to extend dumping duties on shoes from China and Vietnam, EU sources with knowledge of the vote said.

"Fifteen member states opposed the plan, 10 supported the Commission and two countries abstained," one of the sources told Reuters.

The EU's executive Commission still intends to put the proposal to a vote of ministers next month despite the defeat in the anti-dumping committee.

In October last year, the Commission -- which oversees trade policy for the 27-country European Union -- extended duties of up to 16.5 percent on imports of Chinese leather shoes and 10 percent on those made in Vietnam, pending a review.